Just got back home after my morning ride. In Doncaster centre on the main
road, in light traffic and the usual pedestrians about ( so I am very "town"
alert).travelling in centre of my lane at probably 15 mph, with traffic
lights about 100 metres in front.
Car pulls out of a side road about 30 metres ahead turning left on to the
main road coming towards me.
Car suddenly turns across my front when I am very close.
Been there before last January and got 3 broken ribs.!!!!!!
I was marginally further away this time and as I braked too hard I also
swerved a bit to the right to possibly go rear of the car now directly in
front of me.
Not sure how I can off but finished up still astride my brand new velo,
right on the crown of the road, on my back with my shoulders shouting louder
than I was. Onlookers called police and ambulance and the offending car was
still stopped straddling my lane!
After a short time I was helped up when I realised that although my
shoulders were painful the rest of me seemed ok. A guy was a good Samaritan
and offered help and also said he would act as a witness for me.
As I collected myself together he said
"The woman says she didn't see you and you didn't hit her car" ( i.e. it was
all my fault. -- so how come she was stopped right across my lane! I was
also dressed in bright red and yellow!) I was fortunate that not only did my
witness see the whole incident but he was also a cyclist ( although not on
his bike.).
Ambulance arrived and checked me over and felt there was no need to go to A
& E but said I would be going to my GP as soon as I got home ( about 6
miles)
Police arrived and got a statement from the witness and a statement from me
My right arm movement was pretty painful ( but then I am a total wimp with
pain) but I could tell there was no broken bones just muscular damage.
My bike was apparently undamaged except for a totally smashed B&M Ixon front
lamp which was ripped off the handlebars and my helmet now has a crack in
the polyester (?) running from just above my right temple to the top across
2 vents and 3 bands of the fabric.
( one of the rare times when a helmet gave me a bit of protection as it is
designed to do. I don't remember hitting my head on the road but I must have
done so -- It is only 3 weeks old !!)
Total cost to me of exactly £100 ( lamp and helmet) plus a few painful days.
I cycled back home OK -- in fact it was more comfortable to cycle than it
was to walk except I was unable to signal right turns except with a sort of
flap of my hand from the wrist.
By the time I got to the GP's I found my right shoulder was distinctly more
reluctant to let me move my arm around - but the adrenalin injection from
shock etc was wearing off and it was expected.
I am home now with co-codomal which will ease the pain over the w/e
It just goes to show. I was in a busy area and extremely alert for cars and
pedestrians when this happened. But the car did a very unexpected thing!!!
The police asked me it the car had indicated to turn but I certainly didn't
notice it -- no bl**dy time and the car never slowed carrying out a sort of
"S" manoeuvre in a very short length of highway -- left on to the main road
and immediately right again.
I don't know what will happen will. I shall have a chat with CTC to see if
there is any point in following it up. I don't expect so!.
--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk